Here's a unique, free resource of useful information on various aspects of making jewelry:

Reviews & Guides by Charlene Anderson

As of this writing, Charlene provides 59 clear, concise online guides covering primarily jewelry-oriented topics - but also touching on related topics such as crafts and collectibles.

Thanks for providing these great information resources, Charlene!

Allison of Estate Beads says:

Here's a great way to keep silver shiny and tarnish free.

Keep those little silica gel packets that come in everything from shoes to medicine. (The ones that say "don't eat".)

Put them in your jewelry box or ziplock bags with your silver jewelry, and they will help remove any moisture in the air.

This will really help your jewelry stay tarnish free for longer periods.

People often ask me how they can sell a used wedding ring, or how to unload other manufactured jewelry for a good price.

Well, although I can tell you thousands of ways to sell handcrafted jewelry, I'm not an expert on selling manufactured jewelry!

I can share a few tips with you, though - and I can also tell you about my own recent experience with selling some unwanted gold jewelry I hadn't worn in years.

But first, a word of warning - you will probably not be able to get anywhere near the price you'd like to get for your used wedding ring or other jewelry, even when the precious metal market prices are very high.

So don't expect too much - although there's always a chance you may be pleasantly surprised.

Here's what I would recommend:

If the piece is Read more

Dr. David Weiman, "The Jewelry Marketing Doctor", has just released the DVD package of his live seminar, "The Five Keys to Selling Handcrafted Jewelry".

I was fortunate enough to receive a review copy of it, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Dr. Weiman is entertaining and informative, and as you watch the DVD you simultaneously fill out the accompanying workbook.

Afterward, you have a concrete jewelry marketing plan (your finished workbook) in your hands.

Also included in the package are an audio CD and a printed transcript.

Read my full review of The Five Keys to Selling Handcrafted Jewelry to find out what I liked best about it!

I've been using ProPay to accept credit cards for my jewelry business for several years now.

(I don't have any affiliation with them - I'm just a satisfied customer.)

Readers often ask me for more information on my own experience with ProPay, so I've written up a short ProPay Questions and Answers article to answer the three most common questions I receive on this topic:

1. How do you use ProPay to take credit cards at jewelry shows and parties, especially when there is no wireless connection available?
2. Have you ever had any problems with using ProPay to accept credit cards? And are you still satisfied with their service?
3. I know I don't need to have a credit card imprinter with ProPay transactions, but I want to use one anyway. Where can I get a credit card imprinter and supplies?

See my answers to these questions in my ProPay Questions and Answers article!

I've just updated my list of jewelry forums.

I started this list a few years ago, and I try to update it every six months or so.  Some of the jewelry forums on this list have been going strong for years; others are new but have found their audience quickly.

If you know of any forums related to jewelry making, jewelry business, beading, glass art, wire jewelry, etc. that I should add to this list, please let me know.